What Jesus Makes Known to Us

Morning

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends.

The LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?--It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.--God hath revealed [them] to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, even, the deep things of God.-- [Even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world to our glory.

Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [to thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple.--The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.--I have given to them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [them], and have known surely that I came from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatever I command you.

Joh 15:15 Ge 18:17 Mt 13:11 1Co 2:10,7 Ps 65:4 25:14 Joh 17:8 15:14


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Daily Light on the Daily Path Devotional
Tuesday February 8, 2011
http://bible.christiansunite.com/devotionals.shtml
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Evening

Thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth to an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.--If indeed ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious. To whom coming, [as to] a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, [and] precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion.

Isa 60:18 Re 21:14 Eph 2:19-22 1Pe 2:3-5 Ps 65:1

*******

Commentary from Christine:

Despite the fact that these devotionals are written in the form of Olde English, they are classic pieces of biblical literature. What makes them so great is that each devotional is chiefly written through the act of quoting directly from the Scriptures.

For example. Let's look at the wording in John 15:15 (using the NIV version throughout this post) -

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

Knowing that Jesus is Lord and Master should make us realize that we ought to be called his servants. However, He chooses to call us his friends. Being a friend is a much more intimate relationship than being a servant. In today's world, we could compare the term "servant" as being a subordinate co-worker. Sometimes, even a relationship with a co-worker can grow into a friendship.

What is important in this passage is the reason WHY Jesus can call his followers friends. He said, "for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." Elsewhere in the Bible, Jesus tells us that "I (He) and the Father are One" and "he who has seen me (Jesus) has seen the Father."

Statements like this do not give us any leeway in determining who has the ability to save us from eternal death. Only Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, those who believe in other religions that exclude Christ as the Son of God are lost.

Jesus never minces his words. The entire chapter of John 15 is blunt and direct about who is saved and who is not. The two main themes within the chapter proclaim what Jesus teaches about the Vine and the Branches, as well as Jesus' warning about the world's hatred.

Here is the entire chapter:

Jhn 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.


Jhn 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes [fn] so that it will be even more fruitful.


Jhn 15:3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.


Jhn 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.


Jhn 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.


Jhn 15:6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.


Jhn 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.


Jhn 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.


Jhn 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.


Jhn 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.


Jhn 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.


Jhn 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.


Jhn 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.


Jhn 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.


Jhn 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.


Jhn 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.


Jhn 15:17 This is my command: Love each other.


Jhn 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.


Jhn 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.


Jhn 15:20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' [fn] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.


Jhn 15:21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.


Jhn 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.


Jhn 15:23 He who hates me hates my Father as well.


Jhn 15:24 If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.


Jhn 15:25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' [fn]


Jhn 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.


Jhn 15:27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

NIV Footnotes:
(15:2) The Greek for prunes also means cleans.
(15:20) John 13:16
(15:25) Psalms 35:19; 69:4

Commentary from Christine:

Keep in mind that Jesus was speaking to Jewish believers in Him before he went to the cross. Jesus lived as a Jewish God-man during the Incarnation. When he said the following words to his disciples, the term "Christian" wasn't in existence yet:

Jhn 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.


Jhn 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Today, after the fact of the sacrificial death on the cross of Christ and his subsequent resurrection to life, we can also apply those words to Christian believers.

With all the turmoil happening in Egypt today and the virulent Muslim hatred for Israel and the Jews (especially the Zionists), plus the hatred againt Christ and Christians, we can see what Jesus was referring to when he said, "if the world hates you."

The chosen people of God (my people, Israel) and of God's Son, Jesus Christ, were prophesied in the Bible as being hated. Jesus himself warned us and we have the words written down in Scripture to remind us of that hatred. This is all the more reason to take Jesus' admonition in the following verses seriously:

Jhn 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.


Jhn 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.


Jhn 15:6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. We must "remain in Him."

Jhn 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

What does this mean? It means that we believe that he is God's Son (1 John 4:15). It means that we receive him as Savior and Lord (John 1:12). It means that we do what God says (1 John 3:24). It means that we continue to believe in the gospel (1 John 2:24. It means that we are to relate in love to the community of believers, Christ's body (John 15:12).

We are to be like a branch attached to the vine. Apart from Christ our efforts are unfruitful.

Keep in mind that the farming analogy in this passage shows how God is glorified when people come into a right relationship with him and begin to "bear much fruit" in their lives.

It is important to know that "bearing fruit" is not limited to soul winning, although that is a very important part due to the commandment of The Great Commission. Bearing fruit also includes answered prayer, joy, and love (as mentioned in John 15:7,11, 12). Galatians 5:22-24 and 2 Peter 1:5-8 describe additional fruit: qualities of Christian character. As you can see, we have our work cut out for us!

At the end of John 15, Jesus offers us much hope. He speaks about the Holy Spirit being given to us to help us endure the unreasonable hatred and evil in the world as well as the hostility many groups and individuals have towards Christ. The Holy Spirit is given two names, Counselor and Spirit of truth. The term 'counselor' conveys the helping, encouraging and strengthening work of the Spirit. 'Spirit of truth' points to the teaching, illuminating and reminding work of the Spirit. As we can see, the Holy Spirit ministers to both our minds and to our hearts.

John 16 is a wonderful passage where Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to read and study it.

Once I became a born again Christian, I recognized the fact that the world's value are often the opposite of God's values. This can make a believer feel like a misfit. However, even though life can be very difficult now, one day we will rejoice. As believers in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior of the universe, we can look with confidence ahead as we keep our eye on the future because we can rely on God's promises! Remembering that the ultimate victory has already been won enables us to keep and claim the peace of Christ. Not the peace that the world gives, but the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding. Even in the most troublesome times we can take heart! For Christ has overcome the world for all eternity.

Hat tip: Christians Unite.com devotionals via email.

In 2011 - Apply Our Hearts to Wisdom

Happy New Year everyone! Let us hope and pray, ever so fervently, that the year 2011 will be a turning point away from the awful and subversive progressive train wreck of socialism being inflicted upon our beloved nation back towards what our Founding Fathers created through their undeniable Christian faith and hope in God.

The United States of America is a Constitutional Republic!
- Christine

Now to our devotional for the day:

Top Tens: atTENtion

The days of our years are threescore years and ten . . . so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.Psalm 90:10, 12 (KJV)

Recommended Reading
Psalm 90:1-12

Ever since God issued ten commandments, we’ve understood there’s something special about that number. It serves as the base of our numerical system. Ten is the sum of the first four numbers (1 + 2 + 3 + 4) and the first two-digit number. It brings us full circle. We view ten as complete and perfect, which is why we often say, “On a scale from one to ten. . . .”

Ten years make a decade. And since we only have about seven of those, that should get our atTENtion. Verse 10 of Psalm 90 says that our current earthly lives are zipping by. Our years are “soon cut off and we fly away.” But God is from “everlasting to everlasting,” our “dwelling place in all generations” (verses 1-2).

Starting the year without Christ is like jumping into a dark, unknown patch of the future. But with our Lord, it’s like taking a step with Him who holds the future.

Lord, remind us that You are our eternal life. Turn our atTENtion to the importance of each day—each year—each decade, and to make our lives count for Christ.

O Father, let Thy watchful eye still look on us in love, that we may praise Thee year by year, with angel hosts above.

From the eighteenth-century hymn, “The Year is Gone, Beyond Recall.” Francis Pott, lyrics


Read-thru-the-Bible
Genesis 1:1 – 3:24; Genesis 4:1 – 6:22

Hat Tip:

David Jeremiah.org

What Shall I Render to the LORD?

When situations get tough or a crisis happens within a family, it is so easy to worry, wail, and cry, "Why me Lord?" This is especially true whenever health issues pop up in our lives. Been there, done that....many times.

But how often do we, as believers in Jesus Christ, stop and consider the immense blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon us during our lives? How many times do we thank Him? At dinner each night? At church each week? Once a year at Thanksgiving?

A Bible verse comes to mind.

What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?
Psalm 116:12

Even though we can give our heartfelt thanks for all that Jesus Christ has done for us, the question that Psalm 116:12 is asking is "what shall I render...?"

At Dictionary.com there are a LOT of definitions and descriptions for the term "render."

What can we learn from the Bible about this term and verse?

The Blue Letter Bible provides a Treasury of Scripture Knowledge page that gives us additional passages that can be studied regarding answering such a question:

Psa 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

No matter what happens on this earth, no matter how long each of us lives, no matter what obstacles are thrown in our path - we can always have the joy of God's salvation in our hearts, minds, and spirits! If we let Him uphold us by His generous Spirit - He most certainly will!

Psa 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

When we are filled with the joy of the Lord and His provision of salvation through Jesus Christ, we can then "teach transgressors" (all have sinned) His ways, and sinners (we all qualify for that title) shall be converted to God!

Psa 51:14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

Once we know that we are delivered from all of our sins - even the heinous sin of bloodshed by "the God of my salvation," we can then sing the praises of the righteousness of Jesus Christ! It isn't our righteousness that saves - it is His!

Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Is this verse telling us that blessing the LORD via our souls in prayer helps to remind us of all of His benefits?

Isa 6:5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."

The Old Testament prophets, such as Isaiah, looked forward to the coming of the Messiah to save them from their sins. Meanwhile, they sacrificed unblemished animals for the temporary forgiveness of sins - a foreshadowing of what Christ's sacrifice would accomplish in the final act of redemption for all of mankind. Isaiah prophesied much of what the coming Messiah would endure for our salvation. Seeing the King, the LORD of hosts was frightening indeed because of his sinful condition. But that's not the end of the story!

Isa 6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.


Isa 6:7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."

Another symbolic act where in the OT, the prophet Isaiah was assured that his iniquity is taken away by God and his sin purged from remembrance. In the next verse, look at Isaiah's huge change in attitude!

Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me."

Isaiah changed from the frightened sinner into a man that God could use! He enthusiastically answered "the voice of the Lord" by saying, "Here am I! Send me."

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

When we get to the New Testament verses from this list, we see that the "brethren" were to present their bodies as a living sacrifice - meaning that they would gladly obey God's commands and be holy and acceptable to God while doing service for Him in spreading the Gospel of Christ.

1Cr 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

And why would we become "living sacrifices" for God? This verse answers that question - because "we were bought at a price" through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross! We are now called to glorify God both in body and spirit!

Now we get to the crux of the matter and can answer the question in Psalm 116:12 - What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?

2Cr 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;


2Cr 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Hat tips to all links.

The Push Towards A New Global Economy

Happy Sunday! The Lord's Day is always encouraging to believers in Jesus Christ. No matter what chaotic activities are happening on this earth, the mercy and saving grace of Christ's Gospel and the wondrous promises that are in store for all who call upon the name of the Lord and are saved keeps our hearts and minds at peace.

How?

It is all based upon the timeless eternal promises and the only means for our salvation that has been given to us through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Of course, it is always helpful and advantageous to understand what is happening in the world. That is why I an urging readers here to take the time to read Dr. David Jeremiah's new book The Coming Economic Armageddon and view each of the video presentations. This book is an essential read, and video series will help you understand much more than what is being shared by the various news organizations. This series will give you the wisdom and knowledge that many in the secular world may, most likely, be missing. The current progressive push towards globalization, a one world economic policy and currency, and the progressive elites' desire to establish a "new world order" (which has been happening over the past 60 years) must be understood by every American so that we all can be prepared for what is happening today, as well as what is coming in the near future.

I urge you to view Dr. David Jeremiah's current new television series, The Coming Economic Armageddon.

[Note: At the link, click on the green colored T.V. screen icon that says "THIS WEEK'S BROADCAST" to view today's broadcast, "The New Global Economy."]

At the above link you can view today's message - The New Global Economy. When you click on the "broadcast archives" icon, you can view the previous two messages in this current series.

Dr. David Jeremiah's website description of the current series:

The Coming Economic Armageddon
ABOUT THE CURRENT TELEVISION SERIES

Every mother knows this about births: They are unpredictable; each one is different. There’s another birth―the only one of its kind in history―that is coming due soon, and its timing will be unpredictable as well: the birth of the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus Christ is coming back to earth to establish His kingdom to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords for one thousand years.

Even though we don’t know exactly when the specific events leading up to the birth of the kingdom will take place―events like the Rapture of the Church, followed by the seven-year Tribulation―we will experience “birth pangs” that tell us the time is drawing near. Every mother knows “that feeling” that comes with the onset of labor, the pains that tell her the blessed event is drawing nigh. And it will be the same with the coming kingdom of God: pain and discomfort on a global scale―“groans and labors with birth pangs” (Romans 8:22).

The world began experiencing discomfort in a serious way in 2008―economic birth pangs causing unprecedented degrees of pain and suffering around the world. And as of the publishing of this study guide, the pains show no signs of letting up. Bad financial policy at many levels came to a head in the fall of 2008 and caused a collapse of confidence in the world’s economic infrastructure. Those waves of upheaval have trickled down to the man and woman on the street―loss of jobs and income, evaporating savings, home foreclosures, and the revelation that financial institutions and authorities don’t always operate with the best interests of the public in mind.

But there is another dimension of the crisis that discernment will discover. The steps taken by governments around the world to put a hedge around the growing financial chaos have created new forms of consolidation and control that will have ominous repercussions. Governments have inflated their money supplies by printing massive amounts of currency―paper money with no backing―in order to rescue financial institutions and stimulate economies. They have incurred billions, in some cases trillions, of dollars of debt which stand no chance of being repaid. And at the same time they have extended their reach into the lives of private citizens―such as the health care entitlement mandated by the United States government.

All this government activity, set in motion either because of, or commensurate with the economic upheaval beginning in 2008, has resulted in increased calls for a “new world order” or a “new economic order”―a world-level structure that would put some kind of government body in charge of solving the problems faced by the global community. And because everything―food, clothing, shelter, jobs―is a function of finances, a combination “new world economic order” seems destined to emerge.

Students of biblical prophecy will not be caught off guard by these developments. As far back as the prophet Daniel, Scripture has foretold the rise of an end-time government led by the most despotic dictator in history. This leader will be “Satan’s CEO,” empowered by the devil to move people’s eyes away from Christ and toward himself, the Antichrist. Because of his power, this leader will control who can buy and who can sell in the world. And people who are hungry will swear allegiance to him rather than starve.

The Coming Economic Armageddon has been created to help you understand what was foretold in the past, what is happening right now, and how to prepare for the future. But most of all, it has been prepared to encourage you to put your trust and hope in God―the One who knows the beginning from the end, the One who is surprised by nothing, the One who can deliver you safely through the economic storms of our day.

Hat Tip: David Jeremiah.org

Not Of This World

Scripture informs us that we are to be in the world - but not of the world. These verses help explain the difference:

1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

In a previous comment thread, a commentator wrote objections about Glenn Beck "leading" Christians because he is a Mormon. First, I don't think that he has the power to lead any Christian either to or away from true faith in Christ. Second, I do think that Beck is correct about being very wary of the "social justice" religious movement. I think that they are far more dangerous to the gospel of Jesus Christ than Mormonism. Why? Because they are disguised as a "Christian" group. At least with Mormonism, we know that the addition of the book of Mormon has been forbidden as genuine Scripture (via what is written in the Book of Revelation) because it was added after the canon of God's Word was final. We are not to add or subtract from the original Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

Even the terms "social justice" sound like they could be deemed as "biblical." But the fact that the social justice leftists use the term in a completely different way and want to create a kind of "utopia" here on earth gives their motives away; at least to those who are discerning. Rather than preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to the brokenhearted - sinners who are in desperate need of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation through the Savior - their focus on social justice demonstrates exactly what we are warned about in Scripture.

What the utopia "social justice" crowd wants is the exact opposite of what Christ preached:

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Christ could not be clearer than when He made the claim that He "is not of this world" in the following verses:

Jhn 8:23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Those who would place their own minds, wisdom and knowledge above God's written Word - the Bible; or, above God's Living Word - Jesus Christ (usually done through rejection of his sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary), are typically guilty of a myriad of errors. Whether the error they have involves a false religion, skeptism, agnosticism, atheism, heresy, apostasy, or spreading a false gospel; each and every one prevents individual souls from bridging the huge gulf between their sinful condition and the Creator - our Holy and Righteous God.

1Cr 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

The "social justice" crowd is deeply embedded with the "foolish wisdom of this world." They display their own kind of false gospel through utilizing a kind of "fleshly wisdom":

2Cr 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

When determining whether or not someones spirit is confessing the truth of the Spirit of God - the Bible tells us that "every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God," and "every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God."

Furthermore, we find that "he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

What's more, a true believer's testimony would always include: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."

If a religious movement of any kind does not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world, then he/she is in error.

Note what the following verse tells us:

1Jo 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

The following is the entire chapter of 1 John 4. Take heed of all that is written!

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.


1Jo 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,


1Jo 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.


1Jo 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.


1Jo 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.


1Jo 4:6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.


1Jo 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.


1Jo 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.


1Jo 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.


1Jo 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.


1Jo 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


1Jo 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.


1Jo 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.


1Jo 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.


1Jo 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.


1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.


1Jo 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.


1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.


1Jo 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.


1Jo 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?


1Jo 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

NKJV Footnotes:
(4:3) NU-Text omits that and Christ has come in the flesh.
(4:19) NU-Text omits Him.
(4:20) NU-Text reads he cannot.

Hat Tip:

Blue Letter Bible

The Gospel According to Job

Before I get to Dr. David Jeremiah's lesson in the series on the book of Job called "Tried, Tested, and Triumphant", I want to share a personal story.

Many years ago, I gave my mother (who, at the time was a devout Catholic) the NIV Bible which had study notes at the bottom of each page. I thought that it would help her understand the passages better. This was shortly after I had re-dedicated my life to the Lord back in the 90's. I wanted to be sure that my family members were saved through the Cross of Jesus Christ.

When I gave her the Bible, I suggested that she start reading the book of John. That was the book that I was studying with a women's Bible study group in my neighborhood. Shortly after finishing that study, I stood up in the church I was attending and re-dedicated my life to Jesus Christ. This led to a turning point in my life. I became very active at the church and an avid Bible reader. I attended many Bible studies - including Bible Study Fellowship intensive studies on The Life of Moses, and the writings of John. But I did not have any in-depth study on the book of Job.

Back to my mother's story.

Instead of reading the book of John, she decided to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Well, she didn't get very far. She stopped at the book of Job. Apparently, what happened to Job so disturbed her, she decided not to continue reading and studying the Bible. My heart sank when she told me that. Ever since, I have tried to share the Gospel with her, hoping and praying that she would be saved. When my father became born again just months before his death from terminal cancer in 1995, my mom was in the room and prayed the prayer of salvation with us. But only God knows whether or not her decision was genuine. I pray that it was. She now suffers from Alzheimer's disease and the last time that I shared the Gospel during my visit with her (and my Aunt Alex), she fell asleep at the table.

Have you ever encountered someone who couldn't understand why God allowed what happened to Job? Have you ever bristled at the tragedy of Job's life while he was being afflicted by Satan? Have you ever questioned God's mercy because of all that was allowed and done to Job?

My partial answer might be that's what evil does. But of course, that statement does not include the most important part of the answer.

Each of us could probably ask those same questions about your own life or someone you love. Why did they have to go through that suffering? It's a question that we all would like to have the answer to, I'm sure. I can't say that I have all the answers. I don't. But God DOES have all the answers, and if we just seek out those answers in Scripture, the AH HA! moments will be quite amazing - and even startling.

We get a hint about my recent "startling moment" in the introductory paragraphs about Tried, Tested, and Triumphant - The Book of Job.

When someone we know is going through a time of suffering and trial, a reference to Job is often mentioned in some context. We feel comfortable referencing Job as the ultimate example, but do we really know his story? Do we really understand the circumstances of his suffering? Job is a complex story of one man's journey from blessing to despair, from affluence to poverty, and respect to ridicule. Dr. Jeremiah unfolds this story verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter allowing us to witness every aspect of Job's challenging journey. In the end, we leave with not only a shining example to encourage us in our faith--we come away with the peace of knowing that God is in control of all things and that He will use every circumstance in our lives to reveal His grace and glory.

I had one of those AH HA! moments while watching and listening to Dr. Jeremiah's sermon today. I sincerely hope that readers here will take the time to view the sermon. You WON'T be disappointed! It is so powerful - and could change your perspective about the book of Job forever.

If you are pressed for time, the message introduction (which is crucial to see) starts at @ 17:50. It includes how you can get the resource [Tried, Tested and Triumphant - The Book of Job] that may be very helpful for you - or anyone you know - who is currently going through any type of suffering today.

When times are tough we often lean on our friends for support, love, and understanding. Job was not so fortunate in this matter because his group of friends ended up criticizing and condemning him instead of encouraging him. But instead of offering a defense to his friends, Job offered up his defense to God. In turn, he revealed what a majestic, holy, and all-powerful God that he served then--and that we still serve today.

View the video at this link:
David Jeremiah.org: This Week's Message - The Gospel According to Job

When you view the video, the title of the sermon becomes so evident that you will wonder how you ever missed it (if you were like me - who did miss that important point) in your personal studies on Job!

Separated To The Gospel of God

Today, as I looked at the blog posts in my sidebar, several verses in Romans Chapter 1 came to my mind.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Rom 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, [fn] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; [they are] whisperers,

Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, [fn] unmerciful;

Rom 1:32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

That describes many people living today in the United States of America. Particularly, it highly describes those who self-identify as liberal leftists, progressives, socialists (including Marxists, Maoists, Communists etc.) and social justice advocates. I don't even need to list examples. Examples can be found everywhere in the news because they are quite evident all around us. Just read the blogs in my sidebar. Watch the Lamestream Media of Mass Deception. Listen to those who, unbelievably and unconscionably, would have the crazy mindset to show sympathy for the terrorist who wanted to blow up Times Square with a truck filled with explosives.

Have you noticed that the words Islamic terrorist, or Islamic jihadist, or radical Islamic extremist are not included in the descriptions of the perpetrator when shared by the nightly news pundits? They bend over backwards not to us the term "Islam" so as to be politically correct - to a fault! Yet, these same goons would unfairly label the TEA Party Patriots as "astro-turf," "right-wing extremists," "racists," "Nazis," "anti-(fill in the blank for the latest social justice term they are using)______ extremists."

What is wrong with this picture?

Plenty. But I don't need to tell anyone reading here what is wrong. You instinctively ALREADY KNOW what is wrong! They are not only the "hate America first" crowd, they are also very disparaging against Jesus Christ and His followers.

Allah, Mohammed, and Muslim followers of the Koran are not insulted by the media. Yet, the same courtesy is never given to God, Jesus Christ, and Christian followers of the Bible. Why??

Christ told us that they would hate us because they first hated Him.

In the Obama: The Chessboard Pawn comment thread, I included a link to an article written by Barbara Ehrenreich (one of the members whose name I recognized and was included in the group described in New Zeal Blog's report: Obama File 102: America's Little Lenin? Joel Rogers and the Obama Movement..) I specifically worked to refute her claims, using Bible verses as evidence of the obvious bankruptcy of her negative tirade and ignorant positions that she took against God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible.

She wrote that despicable article back in 2005, blaming God for the tsunami. I just couldn't let her anti-God, anti-Christian, ignorant blathering go without challenge, so I wrote a response to each of her crazy and stupid incendiary remarks.

If anyone is interested in reading it, go to: Talk Wisdom message board: Rationalizing God's latest 'felony'??

It really peeves me when those who don't know much, if anything, about God, Jesus or the Bible, spew their hate-drenched rhetoric like Ehrenreich did. However, when weighed against the truth, it does expose how ignorant she is about the subject.

Since Ehrenreich is the kind of person who would belong to these fake green groups who illegally funnel money from taxpayers and get away with it, then we can see why our nation is in such dire straits with the Resident ObaMARXIST pawn in "power."

If you take the time to read just the first page of comments (which include four sections of what I wrote to refute Ms. Ehrenreich's claims), you might easily recognize the difference between one who knows the God of the Bible and our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ; vs. one who tries to create "god" in her own image and opinion(s). That is precisely what the left (especially the radical leftists) attempt to do on all issues where the God of the Bible doesn't fit their own secular, humanistic desires, wants, opinions, ideas, politics, and notions of what a Righteous God would (and should) be like.

If you really think about it, it is as if they are creating their own idol in their minds, and then putting their own mind-created idol ideals and actions upon the God of the universe.

Why do they do this?

Because their deeds are evil. (Jesus' words - not mine!)

What better way to camouflage their sins then to create the idea that what they believe about abortion, homosexual behavior, euthansia, lying, cheating, stealing etc. is not really sinful?

You see, it is because they are not "separated to the gospel of God" as Paul states in Romans 1:1. They are not bond servants of Jesus Christ - they serve themselves and their own fleshly desires.

Without being born again in Christ Jesus, a sinner (which we all are - including me until the moment of genuine salvation) CANNOT receive "grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith" as it is described in Romans 1:5.

When you read all of Romans 1, you discover the characteristics of those in the faith, which are completely opposite to the characteristics of those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The contrast could not be more clear!

We see the evidence of those who willingly reject Christ in their lives. They live up to (more like - live down to) all of the descriptions that Paul makes in Romans 1:21 - 1:32.

The truly sad thing to realize is that many of these kinds of people are running (and ruining) our country today. The lying, deceitfulness, cheating, thug-like behavior, misinformation, rejection of decency, willingness to ignore the law and what is right in this life is so painfully obvious in Washington D.C. that we almost cannot even recognize our country anymore.

But don't just take my word for it. Read Daily Thought Pad: Cornucopia of Corruption and Treason


It is only the hand of God that can truly save us. This is why we must continue to pray!

Just as George Washington knelt down and prayed at Valley Forge - when it looked like all was lost against the power of the British army in that day, WE THE PEOPLE must get down on our knees, confess our own sin and shortcomings, and fervently pray to God for deliverance from this evil, corrupt, and deceitful gangster government.

Here is Romans 1:1 - 1:32:

Rom 1:1 Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God


Rom 1:2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,


Rom 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,


Rom 1:4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.


Rom 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,


Rom 1:6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;


Rom 1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.


Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,


Rom 1:10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.


Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established--


Rom 1:12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.


Rom 1:13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.


Rom 1:14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.


Rom 1:15 So, as much as is in me, [I am] ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.


Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, [fn] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.


Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." [fn]


Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,


Rom 1:19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown [it] to them.


Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible [attributes] are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,


Rom 1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify [Him] as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.


Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,


Rom 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.


Rom 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,


Rom 1:25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.


Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.


Rom 1:27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.


Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;


Rom 1:29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, [fn] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; [they are] whisperers,


Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,


Rom 1:31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, [fn] unmerciful;


Rom 1:32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

NKJV Footnotes:
(1:16) NU-Text omits of Christ.
(1:17) Habakkuk 2:4
(1:29) NU-Text omits sexual immorality.
(1:31) NU-Text omits unforgiving.

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Hat Tips to all links

Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore

Over the past several weeks, Dr. David Jeremiah and Turning Point Ministries is presenting repeat broadcasts of its very popular series of sermons from the book: "What In The World Is Going On." If you missed the broadcast entitled, "Islamic Terrorism (2)," I would encourage readers to view the message! The worship music is beautiful, but if you are pressed for time, the sermon begins at 20:00. Previous broadcasts are also available for viewing at Dr. Jeremiah's website.

Christine

*******

Turning Point Ministries Television: Dr. David Jeremiah: Islamic Terrorism (2)

This Week's Message: Islamic Terrorism(2)

The Muslim religion has existed for 1,500 years yet it has only been in the last few decades that Westerners have become aware of the power and the presence of Islam in the world. A minority of the world's Muslims are militant extremists for whom chaos is part of their life's mission.

Hat Tip:

David Jeremiah.org

The Number Seven

Weekend, March 27 & 28

The Number Seven

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psalm 12:6

Recommended Reading
Psalm 12


As we study the Bible, we can't help noticing the number seven holds a unique place in God's economy. It is mentioned 735 times in Scripture, and it conveys the idea of perfection. It was on the seventh day God rested from the creation, and in so doing created our week. Noah took clean beasts by sevens into the ark. Jacob served seven years each for Leah and Rachel. Egypt had seven years of both plenty and famine. The candlestick in the Tabernacle had seven branches, and the Jewish feasts were observed seven days.

Jesus told us to forgive our brothers seventy times seven, and He spoke seven last words on the cross. In John's Gospel, He performed seven signs and uttered seven "I Am" statements. Revelation gives us seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven years of tribulation.

It is possible to over-interpret biblical numerology, but it's hard to miss the number seven. It tells us that God is perfect, His word is faultless, and He wants to bring fullness of blessings to our lives--seven days a week.

The number seven is stamped on the times and seasons of Scripture, marking the spiritual perfection of the Divine Prophecies.
E. W. Bullinger

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 21:1-24:22
1 Samuel 25:1-27:12

Hat Tip:

David Jeremiah.org

Christ: Our Mediator Between God and Man

Sothenes has shared a brief but powerful Bible study over at my Talk Wisdom forum. Here are his posts, followed by my recent comment:

Sothenes
Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 869
"one God and one mediator" between "God and men"
1Ti 2:5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1st Timothy Chapter 2 When I read this, I read there is "one God and one mediator" between God and man which means that Jesus is God because the one God and mediator is "between God and men".

__________________

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Yesterday, 08:09 PM
Sothenes
Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 869

I heard this from Pastor Bill while driving home in the car today so I decided to study this for myself.

John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

This is a statement of deity based on what we know from other verses. By deduction, if Isaiah 42:8 and Isaiah 48:11 say that "..my glory will I not give" or yield to another then Jesus is claiming to have the same glory with God which makes Him God because God won't yield it to another.

Isaiah 42:8 I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Isaiah 48:11 For mine own sake, [even] for mine own sake, will I do [it]: for how should [my name] be polluted? and I will not give (nathan , yield, H5414) my glory unto another.

And God yielded Jesus' name to be above every name:

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
__________________
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

My comment:


admin
Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,586

Great verses!


Great study, Sothenes. Brief but very powerful! Those verses reveal Jesus' deity so explicitly, how could anyone miss such truth?

Jesus always gives every man and woman a choice. We have the choice of life or death; salvation or slavery to sin, heaven or hell, acceptance of Him or rejection of Him. No wonder He asks us the most pertinent question in all of Creation: "Who do you say that I am?" How each individual person answers that question determines where he or she will spend eternity!
__________________
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

Hat Tip:

Sothenes via Talk Wisdom forums.

Not Long For This World

As I woke up this morning, the title of this post were the exact words being planted in my mind. I have been saying many prayers lately. Prayers for people who are ill, who are disabled, who are old (and often shut in because of bad weather); the jobless, the homeless, and the needy. I have been praying about the terrible government we now have to endure, the deficit, a Congress that will push through an America-wrecking health care bill and fraudulent climate bill; and the fact that those who are supposed to represent WE THE PEOPLE are totally ignoring what their state constituents (who put them into office) DON'T WANT. I'm sure that I left out some of the items that came to my mind last night while I was praying about all of these sufferings. However, I asked the Lord to guide me about what to write at this blog concerning all of these frightening and dire needs here in America.

"Not long for this world" was my answer. Just those five words. At the time they came to mind, I was half asleep, half awake. I often think that the Holy Spirit of God knows that I will shut up long enough to really hear, and listen, to what He has as an answer to previous prayer. Such messages don't usually come when I am wide awake, bustling around the house doing chores, listening to T.V. or radio, while on the Internet and this blog (what I'm doing right now!), or out running errands. I need to be completely quiet and open to what it is that God wants to communicate to me.

If the truth be told, I often pray short little prayers throughout the day. Unfortunately, I sometimes get distracted and have to apologize to God for drifting away from my prayer train of thought. Has that ever happened to you, fellow Christians?

But in the quiet of the early morning, as I am awakening from a deep sleep, the period of time between deep slumber and fully awakening presents itself as an opportunity for me to hear the thought whispers of the Lord. This morning was one of those kinds of mornings!

Let's examine the five words, "not long for this world."

I have heard those words to mean that our lives on this earth (compared to eternity) are "not long." Therefore, we could see that phrase as meaning we, as human finite creatures on this earth, are not going to be here for very long.

The second meaning could be said to mean that we are not to "desire" the things of this world. We are not to ultimately "long" for this world and everything in it. It is interesting to note that the word "world" occurs 288 times in 249 verses in the KJV!

We know that God created our world. and together with His Son, Jesus Christ, He gives life unto the world:

Jer 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

Jhn 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Jhn 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

And there will be those who deny God's creation:

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Jesus taught us that the world can be deceitful, and those who speak against the Holy Spirit of God and are not born again are in danger:

Mat 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.

There are several Bible verses that back up the idea that as followers of Christ, we are "not to long for this world":

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1Cr 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Cr 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

1Cr 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Jhn 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Jhn 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Jhn 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Jhn 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice

The phrase "not long for this world" can also be representative of the end times. This world is finite. It will, one day, come to an end. Why focus on a finite world instead of eternal God?

Psa 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Psa 24:1 [[A Psalm of David.]] The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psa 98:9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.

Lastly, we are not to "long for this world" for we are destined to ultimately long for God! Jesus asks us, "have you understood all of these things?"

Isa 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.

Psa 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Isa 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward [is] with him, and his work before him.

Isa 64:4 For since the beginning of the world [men] have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, [what] he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Mat 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one];

Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Mar 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

In his new book, "Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World," Dr. David Jeremiah discusses the instruction of patience. I plan to share a lot more of what he writes in his book, however, the following portion could be applied to the discussion here:

[J.]I. Packer states, "living out the belief that God orders everything for the spiritual good of his children."

He equates this with a "therapeutic workout planned by a heavenly trainer who is resolved to get you up to full fitness."

That kind of believer understands that God is in control even when something unpleasant occurs. He accepts it as one more obscure, multi-sided piece of the jigsaw puzzle of his life -- for which he has no box cover pattern. He trust the One who sees the finished project and seeks to develop trust-based patience. Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, "There are no sins God's people are more subject to than unbelief and impatience; they are ready, either to faint through unbelief, or to fret through impatience."

Fretting through impatience? I plead guilty! That's me, alright! However, when I get over my little pity party, new resolve occurs:

If you think back over your life, you're bound to realize that while a doctor needs bright light to do his surgery, God likes to work in the dark. We don't learn character when life is cruising along -- only when it demands us to reach within ourselves and find new patience, new faith in God, and new resources to overcome the obstacles.

Wow...THAT'S the kind of word I need today. It's what I've needed to realize all year!

Dr. Jeremiah nails it:

Perhaps your family is coping with difficult times at present. What if you viewed this as a time of revelation from God, an occasion for learning to trust Him, and a stepping-stone to good things in the future? That's how God has always worked, so why would this occasion be any different?

Good question to hear, listen to, heed and answer within our walk with Christ...isn't it?!

What are we to be doing while we are in this world?

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

As we share the gospel, Jesus' promises and comforting words are here now, and for all eternity:

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen

Hat Tip:

Blue Letter Bible
Dr. David Jeremiah, "Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World."

Stay Consistent in the Word

This Week's Message: Stay Consistent
We know that we are living in the last days. Our world seems to be filled with chaos. So what do we do? In his new book, Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World, Dr. David Jeremiah has identified ten aspects to live confidently in a world of uncertainty, and honoring Christ through it all.

Today's broadcast in Dr. David Jeremiah's ongoing series - Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World was absolutely excellent! Go to the link above and watch the entire sermon online. [Note: If pressed for time, sermon begins at 17:00 minutes into the video.]

From Dr. Jeremiah's website:

For as long as humankind has written about a Golden Age or Utopia, it hasn't ever happened. The Bible says it will when Jesus Christ returns and establishes a thousand-year reign of peace. In short, ever since the gates of Eden were closed, wherever man has gone, chaos has followed. The Bible offers two correctives to the man-made chaos. First, a perfect Man is coming to establish peace on earth. And second, until that happens, it is possible to live confidently in spite of chaos happening all around. In fact, nearly every time the New Testament makes a reference to the Second Coming of Christ it also suggests how Christians should live as they await His return. In this series, Dr. David Jeremiah shows us ten biblically-based principles that will cause the follower of Christ to live with confidence in a chaotic world.

I have ordered the book today and can't wait to read it!

Hat tips:

Light Source.com
David Jeremiah.org

Today's Scripture Readings

The following passage of Scripture, John 3:22-6:71 (New King James Version), discusses the following points:
1. John the Baptist Exalts Christ
2. A Samaritan Woman Meets Her Messiah
3. The Whitened Harvest
4. The Savior of the World
5. Welcome at Galilee
6. A Nobleman’s Son Healed
7. A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
8. Honor the Father and the Son
9. Life and Judgment Are Through the Son
10. The Fourfold Witness
11. Feeding the Five Thousand
12. Jesus Walks on the Sea
13. The Bread from Heaven
14. Rejected by His Own
15. Many Disciples Turn Away

This portion of Scripture contains the recognition that John the Baptist had of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews. It shares a story of a sinful Samaritan woman who meets her Messiah and recognizes him as the Messiah because he knew about her entire life and everything she had done. In "The Whitened Harvest" portion, the key verse is:

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

What exactly was Jesus' "finished work?" To die on the cross for man's sins and rise from the dead so that all who believe on Him would have eternal life. The fact that many of the Samaritan people believed Jesus to be the Savior of the world began because one woman who had encountered him alone (previously) had stated:

19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

Next, Jesus said this:

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The woman was expectant of the coming Messiah, and apparently believed that he would one day arrive:

25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

Jesus simply told her:

26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

She ran back to her town and told everyone of her encounter. The people came to see and hear Jesus. Then they believed also:

42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ,[a] the Savior of the world.” [Note: [a] - John 4:42 NU-Text omits the Christ.]

We then read of several miracles that Jesus had performed during his 3 year ministry.
A Nobleman’s Son Healed
A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
Feeding the Five Thousand
Jesus Walks on the Sea

Later in Scripture, we find several instances where people wanted to see (and/or) experience more miracles - including their own requests for healing. But Jesus didn't come down from heaven to only heal physical ailments. His main purpose was to heal all of mankind of their sin problem.

We learn that the Jews wanted to kill Jesus because they perceived his words (claiming to be equal with God the Father) as blasphemy. You see - Jesus knew their thoughts. But look at how he answered them:

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

We learn that life and judgment are through the Son:

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

So far, we know that God the Father exists as a separate Person - who is Spirit. We know that Jesus exists as a Person in the flesh. At Pentecost, we learn that after Jesus ascends back to the Father in heaven, he sends us The Helper - the Holy Spirit of God who "brings back to mind" all that Jesus has taught us through the Scriptures. He illuminates the truth of God through His written Word - the Bible, and His Living Word - Jesus Christ.

39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Jesus is showing us that just "searching the Scriptures" is not enough to have eternal life. It is ONLY WHEN WE ARE WILLING TO COME TO HIM that you (we) may have eternal life. Something more is needed. In John 3, Jesus tells us that we must be born again. [See Becoming a Christian]

Jesus uses the illustration of the Jews eating the manna from heaven in order to survive the exodus from slavery in Egypt, and compares that to "eating his flesh" and "drinking his blood" in order for them to have eternal life.

48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”
52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?”
53 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed,[l] and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

They obviously didn't comprehend the metaphor. However, Christians today remember Jesus' death on the cross where he shed his blood and gave up his body of flesh for our sakes - and for the forgiveness of sins - by partaking in communion where we symbolically do what Jesus told us through drinking wine (or grape juice) and eating the wafer of bread to acknowledge the Lord's death until he returns again.

You will notice at the end of the passage, many of the disciples (followers of Jesus) turned away.

60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”
61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

But even with Jesus' excellent explanation, the "disciples" (whom he knew would not believe anyway) left:

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

Then Jesus turned to the twelve:

67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”[m] [Note: [m] - John 6:69 NU-Text reads You are the Holy One of God.]

Simon Peter took the initiative to speak for the twelve. However Jesus added:

70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.

So we see that Judas Iscariot - though he did not REALLY believe in Jesus and still pretended to follow him - was already known by Jesus to be the betrayer. Jesus called him out - though, he did so anonymously at that moment because his time (for the crucifixion) had not come yet. But Jesus clearly did not want Judas to be identified with the other 11 faithful disciples who agreed with Simon Peter's conclusion.

What strong words Jesus stated! "One of you is a devil." [Side note: The politically correct crowd of today would certainly not approve!] However, Jesus is a Man of truth.

Now, let's flash forward to another portion of Scripture where Simon Peter makes a bold statement and Jesus rebukes him - quite harshly:

Matthew 16:22 (New International Version):

22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

Matthew 16:23 (New International Version) :

23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

From Gospel.com:

Peter once said that he would never let Jesus be put to death. Jesus replied, Get behind me, Satan! This came naught but a few short verses after he commended Peter for his knowledge of Jesus' relationship to God.

Peter was valiantly (though mistakenly) attempting to stand up for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He did not yet understand the magnitude of what it would mean if Jesus didn't go through with his mission. Jesus would have entered back into heaven alone - without any recourse for mankind to be forgiven by God of their sins!

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

What exactly was Jesus' "finished work?" To die on the cross for man's sins so that all who believe on Him would be forgiven and have eternal life.



Reference: Bible Gateway

Proving What is Acceptable Unto the Lord

Galatians 5 is an illustration of good vs. evil. In Galatians 5 verses 16-21, we learn how the evil of various sins keeps us from walking in the Spirit of Christ.

Then, Galatians 5:22-25 describes the good that is achieved by the fruit of walking in the Spirit.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,


Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.


Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Paul is instructing us that we first must live in the Spirit, before we can walk in the Spirit. What solid truth this is! If we do not live according to the fruit of the Spirit of God, how could we ever claim to walk in His Spirit?

The answer is: we can't!

It is only with God indwelling within our hearts that we can truly walk in what He declares through His Word - the good that results in following Christ, who alone, is righteous.

What is good?

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. When we walk in such things as those, notice that the Bible states "against such there is no law."

The law was set into motion in order to show us our sinful nature and to get us to realize that without Christ's sacrifice for our sins, we would not (and could not) EVER be forgiven for them. It is through giving our whole selves over to Jesus Christ that we become His own. And when we are His (e.g. we belong forever to Him) it is then that the miracle of crucifying our own flesh can happen.

Ask anyone who is born again in Jesus Christ how they have been miraculously transformed into a new person! The "affections and lusts" of the past in their lives have now been tossed aside, and they are now a new person in Jesus Christ.

Such transformation happens as a result of sanctification. this is something that occurs to the Christian for the rest of his/her life. We will never completely "arrive" on this side of heaven, but as time goes by we discover that the old desires of the past are now meaningless to us. Eventually- they are destroyed! The desire to do them does not exist anymore. The old self has become transformed into a new life in Christ!

Notice that there is one negative "fruit of the Spirit." It is called longsuffering. The Bible is an honest book. The truth is declared throughout its pages and even Christ himself told us that we would endure longsuffering here on this earth.

Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

What a paradox that verse is! Jesus speaks to us of having peace - despite the fact that we will have tribulation (trouble) in this world.

So, why (and how) can we be of good cheer?

Answer: Because Christ has overcome the world!

How?

Precisely because of his sacrificial death on the cross for our sins!

I was reading in Max Lucado's book - "Traveling Light" - that even when the time for our physical death on this earth arrives, it pales in comparison to what Christ endured for us on the cross.

Lucado explained via a story. He mentioned that in Psalm 23, David wrote, "Yea though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me."

Then, he asked a child who was fearful of the concept of death (something that we are all destined to do) if he would rather be run over by a bus or by the shadow of a bus. The child answered - "the shadow of the bus." Lucado continued to explain that the child answered correctly. And, it is because Jesus took the sins of the world upon himself and that Christ experienced the "run over by a bus" kind of death, that we wouldn't ever have to experience such a death. Instead, we will pass through "the valley of the shadow of death." This is another way to say that we do not die spiritually because of what Christ has done for us! What a marvelous Savior we worship and belong to!!

I thought that was a great analogy to put forth the point that Christ's sacrifice for our sakes was the greatest event in human history! And, his subsequent resurrection from the dead shows us that his word is absolutely true! We can confidently trust him with our very lives!


No other spiritual leader ever claimed to die for the sins of mankind. No other savior could prove exactly who he was by rising from the grave. Jesus was the only one who accomplished that!! Therefore, we can trust him wholeheartedly with our lives! We can trust in his promises! Like this one:

Jhn 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Jhn 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

The book of Ephesians, Chapter 5 discusses the fruit of the Spirit. Verse 8 informs us that were all "sometimes[in] darkness. But now, as born again Christians we are now "light in the Lord." The light [meaning holiness, righteousness] shines from Jesus Christ! To walk as children of light, we are to be reflectors of HIS LIGHT [righteousness, holiness]! This is why no one can brag about anything within ourselves. All glory, honor, thanksgiving, and worship belongs to Christ alone!

Here's a verse that humbles each and every believer:

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

But we are brought back from our uncleanness through the Lord:

Eph 5:8 ¶ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:


Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)


Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Reference: Blue Letter Bible